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Men's Tennis
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Women's Tennis
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| Saturday, February 10 |
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| Russia leads Slovakia 2-1 after doubles victory Reuters | |||
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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia -- Marat Safin and Yevgeny
Kafelnikov powered Russia to a 2-1 lead over Slovakia in their
Davis Cup first-round tie on Saturday by beating Dominik Hrbaty
and Jan Kroslak 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7).
The Slovaks opted just before the world group match to give
Karol Kucera a rest after his five-set win over Safin on Friday,
but it mattered little as the Russians took control from the
opening point.
Hrbaty looked shaky on his serve early on, twice double-faulting to give Russia the breaks it needed. Kroslak proved
he belonged on center stage with some strong returns while never
losing a service game in the match.
A loss of concentration by both Russians in the third set
allowed the underdogs a chance to fight their way back.
But the Slovaks could not overpower the Russian pair of
former world No. 1s, losing a chance to force a fifth and
deciding set by succumbing 9-7 in a tiebreak.
"We played pretty solidly in the first two sets but then a
lack of concentration for a short period of time was enough for
the Slovaks to come back," Kafelnikov said.
"We were fortunate to win the match in four sets."
Hrbaty must regain his form if he is to beat Safin in the
opening singles on Sunday to keep his country in contention, and
hope Mecir's move to rest Kucera pays off when he faces
Kafelnikov.
"I made double faults at crucial times. But then I started
to play better and I hope to keep that going tomorrow," Hrbaty
said.
Kucera stunned Safin on Friday, coming back from two sets
down to give the Slovaks an early
lead in the tie.
"Karol was a bit tired and Jan was doing very well in
practice," Mecir said in explaining his last-minute switch. | |
ALSO SEE Swiss win doubles, take 2-1 lead over U.S. in Davis Cup Spain's reign as Davis Cup champions is short Ecuador upsets Australia in epic doubles match France leads Belgium 3-0 to book second round berth Swedes win doubles to lead Czechs 2-1 Brazil first team to reach quarterfinals Romania win doubles to lead Germany 2-1 Davis Cup results Russia, Slovakia split singles matches Gambill pulls U.S. even against Switzerland | |
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